Aiming for Enrike – Empty Airports VS. Dirty Projectors – Bitte Orca
Aiming for Enrike – Empty Airports
For listeners who amuse themselves by trying to disentangle
the various parts and structure of musical performance, Aiming for Enrike is a
treat. Their mastery of looping,
effects, and raw musicianship make Empty Airports a feast for the ears,
and probably one of the few albums from this season that could reasonably beat
out the Dirty Projectors in their prime.
Sloan – Steady VS. Nnamdi – Please Take a Seat
Sloan – Steady
On the one hand, I have praised Nnamdi for his eclecticism
and distinctive musical voice, but when up against the clarity of Sloan's experience and songcraft, his colorful approach worked against him.
Soccer Mommy – Sometimes, Forever VS. Wet Leg – Wet
Leg
Soccer Mommy – Sometimes, Forever
By now, you know the drill with me and Soccer Mommy. I just love her music, and the production on this album really lets it shine. Wet Leg is good and actually quite trendy, but they can’t take out Sometimes, Forever.
Algiers – Shook! VS. P.O.S. – Chill, Dummy
Algiers – Shook!
Algiers has emerged as the big sleeper from this season, and
one that would most likely have been overlooked had I not been so
meticulous.
Laurie Anderson – Big Science VS. Xenia Rubinos – Una
Rosa
Xenia Rubinos – Una Rosa
Actually a pretty even match here, both in terms of clarity
of vision and overall musical effectiveness.
Xenia’s impassioned vocals put her over the top here.
Brendan Eder Ensemble – Therapy VS. Consider the
Source – You Are Literally a Metaphor
Consider the Source – You Are Literally a Metaphor
This is also another even match, although the styles are
quite radically different. Both of these
albums represent the investment of hardworking independent musicians deserving
of much wider attention. Consider the Source’s
live show still rings in my ears when I listen to You Are Literally a Metaphor,
however, which gives it a bit of an edge in my auditory imagination.
Viewer’s Choice
Gruff Rhys – Seeking New Gods VS. The Smile – A
Light for Attracting Attention
Gruff Rhys – Seeking New Gods
Big Star - #1 Record VS. Bronze Gods - 私たちはロボットをクソですか ? !
Big Star - #1 Record
Soup – Visions VS. Wet Leg – Wet Leg
Soup – Visions
Tyler, The Creator – Igor VS. P.O.S. - Chill,
Dummy
Tyler, The Creator – Igor
Laurie Anderson – Big Science VS. Xenia Rubinos – Una
Rosa
Xenia Rubinos – Una Rosa
The Weeknd – Dawn FM VS. Consider the Source – You
Are Literally a Metaphor
The Weeknd – Dawn FM
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